We live in a world that is totally dependent on electronic devices. EMPs pose a significant threat to these electronics, and once an EMP injures sensitive circuits, the devices become useless.
As a prepper, you need to be able to survive without electronics, and I trust you have given that a lot of thought. However, I would maintain that the more electronics you can successfully ferry across an EMP event, the easier it will be to survive and thrive post-EMP.
While an EMP could affect the entire country, not all states will experience the impact equally. Certain areas are more likely to be hit harder and faster. If you live in one of these red zones, you need to take extra precautions to protect your essential electronics. The closer you are to these potential targets, the more careful you need to be in ensuring your devices survive the initial shock and continue to function when you need them most.
In this article, we will rank the importance of EMP-proofed devices. This is the order in which I am busy doing it, considering the items I deem to be most critical and valuable as the items to be prioritized. I also indicate my way of thinking about why these items are critical.
Communication Devices
Even if cellphone towers are all knocked out, your cell phone is still a critical device—even if just for those family photos, right? But keep in mind that cell phones can act as offline GPSs, store information, locations, passwords, etc.
Some cell phones can open specific locks and even double as car keys. So, be sure to have your cell phone protected. Or you can learn here how to legally turn your CB car radio into a powerful transmitter capable of emitting and receiving communications from hundreds of miles away. The ability to communicate over a distance is the cornerstone of coordination and a coherent response to a crisis.
Vehicle Electronics
Most modern vehicles would not survive a severe EMP burst.
Onboard electronic systems control ignition, self-driving features, fuel injection, and other functions.
Without these systems, the vehicle would not operate.
If you have the skill to fit replacement electronics, it’s recommended that you store spares wrapped inside an EMP-proof cloth inside the vehicle or at least somewhere where they will be accessible after an EMP. Keep in mind that an EMP strike will seek to cause maximum harm, so it will likely be planned around 07:00 to 09:00 a.m. or 16:00 to 18:00 p.m., as this is when most areas experience peak traffic conditions.
You could cover all electronics in the car with Faraday fabrics. This should offer protection. Also, see about ensuring that you have overcurrent surge arrestors leading in and out of the onboard computers, and maybe try to protect your vehicle’s harness and sensors as much as possible. This may be difficult, so maybe seek professional help. Alternatively, make sure you have an old-school EMP-proof truck or similar as a backup vehicle.
Medical Devices
Many people nowadays depend on sophisticated home medical treatment protocols.
For instance, glucose monitoring that connects to your smart phone and can assist you in managing insulin levels. These are life saving medical devices, that may be compromised by an EMP strike.
Portable Generators and Power Banks
We are highly dependent on electricity. I live on a farm where my water comes from boreholes. Without electricity, I have no water. I don’t have a windmill lying around that I can just quickly put up! Considering that I have animals that need water and electricity, the ability to pump water is a big deal.
In the summer months, we have natural springs running out of mountains nearby, but in the winter, it’s dry as a bone. Most simple generators have little in the way of electronics, although I would still ensure that they are protected. Voltage regulators or electronic starters may become damaged due to overcurrent from an EMP.
Once again, you will need surge arrestors to ensure the exposed wires’ current does not enter the generator. You will need to stockpile fuel, or all the EMP protection in the world will be for nought. I have electronic devices that protect water pumps from over- and under-current damage and regulate dam and cistern levels. These will obviously also need to be protected. Water is life, and without electricity, you will need to make hard and fast plans to get water.
LED Flashlights and Lanterns
Mobile lights are critical. Many modern torches or work lights have LEDs.
Depending on the complexity of the circuitry and the proximity to the EMP’s source, LEDs can potentially be damaged by EMPs. Many flashlights, for example, have heavy metal enclosures and should offer some protection against EMPs.
Related: The Upcoming US Blackout: What to Do Before It’s Too Late
However, suppose you have to have light, as most of us will. In that case, I would recommend not taking chances and having a few backup lights inside a Faraday cage.
Computer Data Storage
If you are like me and have hundreds of books and courses on agriculture and whatnot stored on hard drives, you need to secure those devices. In an extremely serious post-SHTF scenario, such information will be lost, inaccessible, or almost impossible.
If you have children or grandchildren, they must learn how to rebuild some of what was lost or keep things going. Books are great in this sense, but video courses in conjunction with books will be the best. Do not risk losing your information. Protect all flash drives, hard disks, computers, laptops, iPads, and whatever else. The future may depend on it!
How to EMP-Proof Items
EMP proofing might seem like a challenging and expensive task, but it doesn’t have to be. There are several affordable and simple methods to protect items in your home from an EMP.
Faraday Cages are one popular option. These metal enclosures act as a barrier, absorbing and dispersing electromagnetic energy from an EMP. You can easily make one using items like an ammo can or metal box, or build one from scratch.
EMP Shields are another option, designed to protect your home or vehicle’s electrical systems. While they can cost a few hundred dollars, they’re a solid investment if you’re serious about protecting against an EMP.
For a more versatile solution, the EMP-proof cloth is a conductive fabric used to wrap items or create custom Faraday cages. Developed by leading U.S. scientists, this cloth offers protection superior to a traditional Faraday cage. Not only is it flexible and portable, but it’s a reliable way to shield your electronics during an EMP event.
The thing is, the EMP Cloth isn’t always available. They don’t restock them that often because they’re pretty hard to produce, so it took YEARS for me to finally get my hands on it. I recommend you secure your own cloth from here. It’s a rare find and not many people get to own it, which is a shame.
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